250 Kon Tum teachers trained to work with disabled

KON TUM — More than 250 teachers in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum have completed an intensive training programme focused on the special needs of disabled and ethnic students as part of a three-year, US-funded project to improve education in the region.

At a ceremony held yesterday at the Kon Ray Ethnic Minority Boarding School in Kon Ray, they received certificates in recognition of their improved skills in art, linguistics, mathematics, nutrition, and crafting teaching aids.

As a part of the US$4.2 million project, 25 refurbished pre-schools complete with age-appropriate furnishings and materials have also been built and handed over to local education authorities and parents in Kon Tum. They will serve more than 1,800 children between the ages of three and five.

"This has been a joint effort with the provincial government and people of Kon Tum to help improve education and care for disadvantaged children, especially those with disabilities," said USAID mission director Francis Donovan.

More than 1,000 women in 25 communes have been equipped with knowledge and skills related to early childhood care, which has also enabled them to earn enough money to keep their own children in school.

Minh Chau Nguyen, country director of NGO East Meets West, a partner in the project, said: "I hope the model of co-operation between teachers, trainers from University of Da Nang, and our local partners … continues to build beyond today."

USAID and EMW have collaborated to support education in Kon Tum since 2008.

After the ceremony, guests travelled to Dak Ha District to observe a workshop for parents on child development and early childhood education, organised by the local Women's Union. — VNS